This 5300 Sq Ft Ode To Nature In Hyderabad, Telangana Is Airy, Spacious, And Rooted
Architect and interior designer Tapasya Rao’s latest project is a two-floor residential villa in a luxurious gated community in Hyderabad, Telangana. With a 5,300 sq ft expanse, the home has been created keeping in mind its residents’ sensibilities – “a house that’s rooted and contextual” and “in line with their sentiments.” The copious amount of sunshine that fills the space and adds to its openness is a stand-out feature, as is the healthy ventilation that almost every area in the house receives. Essentially, the residential villa is a series of places that are brimming with natural light, strung together with thanks – in no little measure – to Rao’s clean and cutting-edge design philosophies. Whether it’s the lush and green foliage that populates almost every room, or the earthy, subdued tones of golden-brown that make up the furniture, every feature of the home contributes to its eminent warmth.
Lamp Shaper’s suspended ceiling lights instantly add drama and flair to the dining room. What’s worth noting is that each space transitions seamlessly into the other, with the designer truly having aced indoor-outdoor living. Tapasya cites nature as her “major inspiration for this project“, making it clear that the consciously sourced materials and furniture (all made in India), are no coincidence. The use of warm and neutral colours adds to how inviting the space is. Additionally, this very feeling is capitalised on, via the grey Kota stone flooring that’s been painstakingly polished on-site and the exposed concrete ceiling. Both add a touch of subtlety to the space, without compromising on the style quotient. A large swing proves to be the perfect finishing touch and immediately ties together the dining and living spaces. Complete with brass details and intricate craftsmanship, it’s intended for the clients to have a space for casual conversations and revelry. Almost all the furniture in the house is customised, with the client’s curation of antiques being at the forefront of the initial design process. The home took a total of fifteen months to materialise, and while the timeline was a challenge, the results are breathtaking.
The six-seater dining set, customised on-site, fits in perfectly with the rustic and sustainable theme of the rest of the villa. Its wicker and cane chairs automatically make the set-up appear a little bit more rustic. A sleek and simple console behind the table allows for ample storage opportunities, ideal for storing memorabilia and cutlery, alike! Decorative vases and ornaments from the likes of Greenhouse, Olive Tree, and IKEA adorn the table and unit tops, making the villa a culmination of unique curios. A broody grey adds to the seriousness of the space, in the form of polished Kota flooring.
Once again, a seamless transition leads you straight from the dining area into an open kitchen. It plays host to sleek bar stools custom made on-site and crafted from teak wood. Stacked shelves and drawers provide ample storage space, while small windows breathe lots of life into the area, instantly making it expansive. The use of a fresh white on the walls along with the plenty of natural light that seeps in allows the kitchen to seem a lot larger than it is in reality.
Complete with an inviting swing, and a jute-woven bench, the informal seating area makes for the perfect space to indulge in casual conversation. It’s free of unnecessary furniture. Cushions from Nomad grace the wicker chairs and add just the right dash of ethnicity. The sunshine that fills the room makes this area the perfect place to cosy up with a book or to recharge with an afternoon nap. The bright yellow flooring offsets the brown hues of the bespoke furniture and leaves cast enticing shadows on it as they rustle.
Shapely additions like circular centre tables make this rustic space lively. Shades of a warm orange, almost a rust, are Rao’s way of ensuring the clients can “live more simply” and “have connections to nature.” It’s the earthy hues that help achieve this! A patterned piece from Jaipur Rugs adds to this very philosophy and helps accentuate the Indian-ness of the room. Fabrics like crisp linen, sustainable jute, and rich silk, make for the perfect textures and textiles. They’re timeless, classic, and inherently Indian. Glimpses of yellow Jaisalmer stone and Kota have the same effect.
In the bedroom, minimalism comes to the forefront, with simplistic elements working together for a striking effect. Bedding from Saphed lines a bed frame that’s been crafted out of teak wood – a failsafe choice that’s rather timeless. A single lamp hangs suspended from the ceiling. Large windows allow sunlight to pierce through translucent blinds, creating patterns and shadows on the expansive white walls. Once again, a single plant acts as the finisher. The room fits into the larger brief – very simple and in resonation with the client’s personality.
Jaipur Rugs’ colourful statement rugs add a kitschy appeal to an otherwise subdued and serious living room, and hues of navy and mustard balance with bedding from Saphed the same with some seriousness. A broody pichwai painting lies above the bed. A circular statement night lamp from Olie Lighting offers mood lighting in the wee-hours of the night! Essentials like a water bottle and a riveting book are just at one’s fingertips, thanks to a sturdy bedside table, crafted on site in pure teak wood. A wooden ceiling contributes to the seriousness of the room.
The designer’s ability to club a contemporary aesthetic and present-day design sensibilities with traditional materials and forms is unmatched. The timeless four-poster bed is given a modern makeover while a beautifully crafted wooden desk and chair set adds a touch of antiquity. The use of white for the walls and bedding allows the room to look livelier and more lit up. A window seat that doubles as storage space makes for a lovely resting nook. Jute blinds from Studio Orion allow for just the right amount of afternoon rays to seep in. Suspended from the ceiling is a single lamp – meant to set the minimal mood. It’s the perfect contemporary accent!
The home is a symphony of traditional aesthetics and truly Indian materials. When combined with Tapasya’s unique style and clear vision, what’s birthed is a villa that’s as modern and contemporary as it is timeless and rustic. From unique wicker wardrobes to customised brass details, it’s the intricacies that make the space worth watching out for. Full of flora, it’s a home that’s in line with nature as well as the new, and is as light, airy, open, and inviting, as it is raw, rustic, and real.
